Educational device



March 11 1924. L486 P. SCHELIGA EDUCATIONAL DEVI CE Filed Sent. 21, 1925 Patented Mar. 11, 1924.

ear ri en.

PAULO SCHELIGA, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

EDUCATIONAL DEVICE.

Application filed September 21, 1923.

This invention relates to improvements in educational devices and has for an object the provision of an amusing and instructive device whereby the alphabet, spelling, reading and number work may be taught in a manner to entertain and hold the attention of the pupil.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is neat and attractive in appearance and which may also be utilized as a game.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construe tion, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings Figure l is an elevation.

Figure 2 is a vertical section with the parts in normal position.

Figure 3 is asimilar container elevated.

Figure 4c is a, top plan view with the cover of the container removed.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the device which may be made of any suitable material includes .a base 10. Rising from this base is a standard 11, the latter having a reduced threaded portion 12 which engages a threaded opening 18 provided in the base.

Surrounding and movable longitudinally upon the standard 11 is a sleeve 14 which carries at its upper end a container 15, the latter being provided with a removable top 16. This container is provided with an opening 17 while the base of the container is provided with an opening 18. Extending from the last mentioned opening and int-o the opening 17 is a reduced extension 19 of the standard 11. The extremity of this extension is provided with a seat 20 which, when the parts are in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings provides a pocket or bottom for the flared mouth 21 which surrounds the opening 17.

view showing the upon number of balls.

Serial No. 664,104.

The cover 16 is also ing 22.

The bottom of the container 15 is provided with a spiral groove 23 which communicates at its lowermost point with the opening 18, so that when the receptacle is elevated to the position shown in Figure 2, the seat or pocket 20 will be slightly lower provided with an openthan the lowermost portion of the spiral groove 23.

The container is designed to hold a number of balls 24 and the latter is provided with letters or numbers, the purpose being to deliver these balls singly through the flared mouth 21 of the opening 17. This is effected by raising the container to the position shown in *igure 2 whereupon the ball 24 which occupies the lowermost position in the groove 23 will roll upon the seat 20 and when the container is lowered the ball so seated will operate within the flared mouth 21, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. Downward movement of the container is limited by the engagement of the lower end of the sleeve with the base 10, while upward movement is limited by engagement of a flange 25 at the lower end of the sleeve with a flange 26 which surrounds the standard 11.

As the balls are removed from the con tainer they may be placed within pockets or depressions 27 provided in the base 10 and may be so arranged as to provide a particular combination of numbers or to spell a word, depending upon the characters upon the balls. The balls are replaced within the. container through the opening 22.

As stated, the balls may be provided with either numbers or letters and in the former case a game may be played, each player operating the device in turn until the number of balls agreed upon have been removed from the container. The total of the numbers upon the balls of each player is added and the highest total wins.

l/Vhen the balls bearing the letters are used, they are removed as above mentioned until each player has received an agreed They are then arranged within the pockets 27 and the player supplying the greatest number of words with the letters contained upon his own balls wins the game.

From the foregoing it will be apparent pended claim.

that the invention provides a device which is both educational and entertaining, the games played by the numbered balls teaching addition, while the games played with the lettered balls teach spelling and reading in an amusing and entertaining way.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the ap- Having described the invention what is claimed is: V

A device of the class described embodying a base, a standard rising from the base, a container having an opening therein, means connecting the standard and container whereby the latter may be supported for vertical movement, a seat at the upper end of the standard, a plurality of movable elements within the container and a spiral raceway provided in the bottom of the container, whereby, when the container is moved vertically the movable elements will be deposited singly upon the seat for passage through the opening ofthe container.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

PAULO SCHELIGA. 

